45 Indicted In Largest Franklin Drug Bust

June 10, 2000|By The Virginian-Pilot

FRANKLIN — Police and federal drug agents arrested dozens of people in Franklin's largest-ever drug bust Thursday, the result of a yearlong investigation into what authorities say was a bustling crack cocaine trade in the rural city.

Police and agents from Franklin, the Southampton County sheriff's office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and a Virginia State Police-led drug task force went to dozens of addresses to make arrests Thursday. Of the 45 indicted Wednesday, 24 were arrested by the afternoon. The charges ranged from selling and distributing cocaine to conspiring to distribute it.

At least one official isn't surprised that Franklin, a city of 8,600 surrounded by miles of farmland, can support a thriving crack trade.

"With regard to drug trafficking, there are no more relatively rural areas," said Fernando Groene, the assistant U.S. attorney handling the cases. "It's everywhere. This stuff moves like crazy."

Franklin's crack market, authorities said, centered in the city's South Street area, a mostly poor neighborhood dotted with public housing, mom- and-pop stores, and a smattering of moderate- and higher-income homes. Few living along the street would give their names when asked about the neighborhood's drug trade.

Some in the neighborhoods where the arrests were made said the enforcement targeted young black men.

"All they're doing is getting the black boys off the street," said a man lounging in the doorway of a nameless South Street laundromat, who said his name was Joe. "All these boys got is the habit, and they're trying to lay the felony on 'em."

Edwards argued that the operation was substantial. To get to the larger dealers, he said, several smaller ones were caught along the way.

"Everyone on our list, we consider to be middle- to upper-echelon dealers," he said. "I wouldn't say anyone here is a 'little guy.'"

Groene said those facing federal charges were arraigned early Thursday in Newport News. Those facing state charges were held in the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.